General Purpose
We are seeking a technically advanced Chief Engineer – HVAC & Mechanical Systems to oversee the planning, maintenance, and continuous improvement of HVAC, chilled water, and mechanical systems across a high-performance hospitality facility. This role includes responsibility for hydronic systems, DX/VRF equipment, water treatment, building services, and plant safety compliance. The ideal candidate will possess deep experience in large-scale MEP operations, smart diagnostics, and lifecycle asset planning aligned with international and UAE regulatory standards.
Systems Oversight and Operational Management
- Lead the operation, preventive maintenance, and fault diagnostics of HVAC and mechanical plant systems including chilled water networks, DX and VRF systems, hydronic loops, and building ventilation.
- Monitor the performance of heat exchangers, pumps, dosing systems, tower units, process water systems, and related HVAC assets to ensure stable and efficient operation.
- Supervise building services such as hot/cold-water distribution, drainage, fire suppression, conveyor systems, laundry, and kitchen mechanical systems.
- Review CAFM-driven maintenance plans, develop condition-based tasking, and lead execution of planned, reactive, and predictive maintenance regimes.
- Conduct inspections of mechanical and utility rooms, verify completion of daily tasks, and validate repair quality.
- Respond to high-priority mechanical incidents with rapid root cause analysis using control diagrams, schematics, and operational mapping.
- Maintain air quality compliance by monitoring indoor air quality (IAQ) sensors, adjusting system settings, and reviewing environmental data.
- Ensure HVAC and mechanical operations contribute to sustainability targets by optimizing pump scheduling and applying energy-saving technologies.
- Maintain chemical treatment quality across cooling and potable systems, ensuring proper dosing levels and compliance with safety codes.
- Oversee commissioning and functional testing for new systems and retrofits, validating sequence of operations, BMS integration, and control logic.
- Analyze performance trends and energy data to identify areas for improvement in system performance, thermal comfort, and utility consumption.
- Develop system lifecycle plans including refurbishment cycles, asset replacement forecasts, and alignment with long-term CAPEX strategies.
- Manage monthly reporting on system health, faults, KPIs, and intervention planning to support engineering department metrics.
Compliance and Quality Control
- Ensure all HVAC, mechanical, and associated plant systems are compliant with UAE municipal codes, health authority requirements, and insurance audit expectations.
- Prepare documentation for internal reviews, insurance inspections, and regulatory audits related to HVAC performance and plant integrity.
- Lead the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs), emergency protocols, and health and safety workflows for HVAC and mechanical operations.
- Coordinate cross-discipline support for issues involving electrical-mechanical interfaces, control systems, or integrated BMS diagnostics.
- Manage procurement, vendor reviews, and service contracts for HVAC equipment, components, and system enhancements.
- Conduct regular internal audits to validate compliance with performance thresholds, equipment reliability, and safety standards.
Technology and Diagnostics
- Implement predictive maintenance technologies using IoT sensors and smart analytics to reduce unplanned failures.
- Integrate and fine-tune smart HVAC control strategies to adjust building loads, enhance thermal comfort, and reduce energy peaks.
- Troubleshoot HVAC faults via direct system access, control logic tracing, and live data evaluation from SCADA, PLCs, or cloud interfaces.
- Collaborate with the resort’s sustainability and smart building teams to identify and deploy mechanical system innovations.
- Benchmark system performance against international KPIs and optimize thermal efficiency through iterative analysis.
Departmental Collaboration and Reporting
- Maintain comprehensive records of system operations, calibration, repairs, water treatment results, and compliance reports.
- Liaise with departments such as Housekeeping, Security, Culinary, and Recreation to align HVAC services with operational needs.
- Support planning of after-hours work, shutdowns, or emergency response coverage to protect guest and operational continuity.
- Participate in departmental meetings, CAPEX planning sessions, and engineering strategy reviews.
- Manage inventory levels of HVAC spares and consumables; ensure accurate purchase order issuance and budget compliance.
- Lead contractor coordination for outsourced HVAC work scopes; validate completion, performance, and compliance with contractual terms.
Team Leadership and Training
- Guide a team of HVAC technicians in daily work management, fault response, and quality control practices.
- Oversee roster planning and shift alignment to ensure full coverage of HVAC systems during business-critical periods.
- Train staff on modern HVAC controls, diagnostics, and mechanical safety code adherence.
- Promote continuous improvement through coaching, performance reviews, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
- Foster a positive work environment through recognition, clear communication, and collaboration across multicultural teams.
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Building Services, or an equivalent field. A diploma with strong operational experience in HVAC plant operations will also be considered.
Experience
- Minimum 10 years in mechanical system operations with at least 5 years in HVAC-specific leadership roles.
- Experience with chilled water systems, DX and VRF technology, mechanical diagnostics, and plantroom compliance essential.
- Proven track record in managing predictive maintenance and lifecycle upgrade planning in hospitality or critical environments.
Certifications and Technical Knowledge
- Strong knowledge of UAE mechanical codes, HVAC audit readiness, and international energy management standards.
- Familiarity with CAFM/CMMS platforms, IoT diagnostics, and energy benchmarking tools.
- Experience using SCADA, PLC, and smart BMS controls for HVAC optimization.
- Proficient in preparing reports, maintenance plans, and contractor evaluations.
Language and IT Skills
- Excellent spoken and written English; Arabic or other languages a plus.
- Proficient in MS Office, maintenance software, and automation dashboards.
Other Requirements
- Committed to environmental best practices, safety compliance, and operational excellence.